Florida's inflation rate was higher than the national average, according to a new study, and Republican lawmakers react to the latest FISA reauthorization news.
Florida inflation tops national rate
New numbers on Florida’s economy show inflation is hot in the sunshine state. That could make a difference at the ballot box this November.
Republicans and Democrats have different narratives about what the numbers mean.
Data from Moody’s Analytics shows Florida’s year-over-year inflation sits at 3.99%, well above the national average of 3.5%, but virtually identical to California’s rate of 4%.
These numbers are based on the consumer price index, which tracks the cost of food, gasoline, and other common household purchases.
On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis took note of Florida’s position, calling for lower interest rates.
“People are hurting because all that’s reflected in the cost of things that matter to people. Housing, mortgages, groceries,” DeSantis said. “This is the wages of Bidenomics, I don’t think things have been more tepid in terms of inflation. I think inflation’s continuing to be quite strong, and that’s going to make it more difficult for folks.”
Florida Republicans react to FISA reauthorization plan
Reauthorization for a critical section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act remained at an impasse Thursday.
Four of Florida’s GOP members in the House were among the 19 Republicans who voted against a procedural vote on the measure Wednesday.
Republican Reps. Matt Gaetz, Anna Paulina Luna, Cory Mills and Greg Steube voted down the rule vote on FISA Section 702.
The section allows warrantless surveillance of foreign suspects overseas, but some Republicans argue it has been used improperly on Americans, and former President Donald Trump urged Republicans to kill the measure.
Steube posted on social media that, “FISA is in need of reform in order to protect the liberties of Americans and I wasn’t going to green light this terrible bill.”
The bill would extend the surveillance program for five years. Speaker Mike Johnson argued the bill has reforms to prevent data collection on U.S. citizens, but hardliners believe they do not go far enough.
“If Speaker Johnson is unwilling to fix FISA Section 702, we are left wondering what he is indeed willing to fix,” Gaetz said.
Supporters of reauthorization argue that the act is critical for national security and it would be irresponsible for there to be a lapse.
Republican Rep. Byron Donalds voted to advance the measure on Wednesday and said he believes there’s still time for lawmakers to come to an agreement.
“In this place, you’d be surprised what can get done when you’ve got to get it done," he said. "And so I think it can get done. I’ve don’t doubt that at all, but I think it’s back to the drawing board.
"And that’s OK, because at the end of it, did we reform FISA in a way that protects the information of the American people, and that’s how we’re going to be judged at the end of it, not the process of how we get there."
The current FISA measure expires on April 19.
Georgia lieutenant governor gets a special prosecutor
A special prosecutor has been assigned to look into whether Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones should face criminal charges over possible efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Jones was one of 16 alleged fake electors accused of trying to help former President Donald Trump overturn the state’s election results.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was disqualified from investigating Jones after she hosted a campaign fundraiser for his political opponent.